Methods and apparatuses for selecting privileges for use during a data collaboration session

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, a plurality of electronic devices participating in a data collaboration session are detected. A group, of a plurality of groups, is determined to which each of the plurality of electronic devices is associated. At least some of the groups correspond to companies. Based on the determined group to which each of the plurality of electronic devices is associated, one or more limitations are identified that restrict the recording of data shared during the data collaboration session. The identified one or more limitations are enforced on only some of the plurality of electronic devices participating in the data collaboration session, such that electronic devices associated with a group that corresponds to the first company are allowed to record the data collaboration session, yet an electronic device associated with a group that corresponds to a second company is prevented from recording the data collaboration session.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/458,309 filed on Jul. 18, 2006 by Jeff Roberts et al., and entitled“Methods and Apparatuses for Selecting Privileges for use During a DataCollaboration Session”, the contents of which are incorporated byreference herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to recording privileges and,more particularly, to utilizing network based recording privileges.

BACKGROUND

There are many settings that allow a user to locally configure therecording function on a device. In many cases, the user is capable ofcustomizing the recording capabilities of this local device.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses select a primary groupname; identify a first device associated with the primary group namewherein the first device is a member of the primary group name; specifya privilege associated with the member of the primary group name; andstore the primary group name, the first device, and the privilege withina profile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate and explain one embodiment of themethods and apparatuses for selecting privileges for use during a datacollaboration session.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an environment within which the methodsand apparatuses for selecting privileges for use during a datacollaboration session are implemented;

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram illustrating one embodiment inwhich the methods and apparatuses for selecting privileges for useduring a data collaboration session are implemented;

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram illustrating a system, consistentwith one embodiment of the methods and apparatuses selectivelycontrolling a remote device;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary record for use with the methods and apparatusesfor selecting privileges for use during a data collaboration session;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram consistent with one embodiment of the methodsand apparatuses for selecting privileges for use during a datacollaboration session; and

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram consistent with one embodiment of the methodsand apparatuses for selecting privileges for use during a datacollaboration session.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of the methods and apparatuses forselecting privileges for use during a data collaboration session refersto the accompanying drawings. The detailed description is not intendedto limit the methods and apparatuses for selecting privileges for useduring a data collaboration session. Instead, the scope of the methodsand apparatuses for selecting privileges for use during a datacollaboration session is defined by the appended claims and equivalents.Those skilled in the art will recognize that many other implementationsare possible, consistent with the present invention.

References to a device include a desktop computer, a portable computer,a personal digital assistant, a video phone, a landline telephone, acellular telephone, and a device capable of receiving/transmitting anelectronic signal.

References to a data collaboration session include sharing data amongmultiple devices. The data may include audio, textual, and/or graphicalinformation.

In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses for selecting privilegesfor use during a data collaboration session selectively apply differentprivileges during a data collaboration session among multiple devices.The selection of a specific privilege depends on the specific devices,the specific groups, and the customization of the profile.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an environment within which the methodsand apparatuses for selecting privileges for use during a datacollaboration session are implemented. The environment includes anelectronic device 110 (e.g., a computing platform configured to act as aclient device, such as a computer, a personal digital assistant, and thelike), a user interface 115, a network 120 (e.g., a local area network,a home network, the Internet), and a server 130 (e.g., a computingplatform configured to act as a server).

In one embodiment, one or more user interface 115 components are madeintegral with the electronic device 110 (e.g., keypad and video displayscreen input and output interfaces in the same housing such as apersonal digital assistant. In other embodiments, one or more userinterface 115 components (e.g., a keyboard, a pointing device such as amouse, a trackball, etc.), a microphone, a speaker, a display, a cameraare physically separate from, and are conventionally coupled to,electronic device 110. In one embodiment, the user utilizes interface115 to access and control content and applications stored in electronicdevice 110, server 130, or a remote storage device (not shown) coupledvia network 120.

In accordance with the invention, embodiments of selecting privilegesfor use during a data collaboration session below are executed by anelectronic processor in electronic device 110, in server 130, or byprocessors in electronic device 110 and in server 130 acting together.Server 130 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as being a single computingplatform, but in other instances are two or more interconnectedcomputing platforms that act as a server.

FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram illustrating an exemplary architecture inwhich the methods and apparatuses for selecting privileges for useduring a data collaboration session are implemented. The exemplaryarchitecture includes a plurality of electronic devices 202, a serverdevice 210, and a network 201 connecting electronic devices 202 toserver 210 and each electronic device 202 to each other. The pluralityof electronic devices 202 are each configured to include acomputer-readable medium 209, such as random access memory, coupled toan electronic processor 208. Processor 208 executes program instructionsstored in the computer-readable medium 209. In one embodiment, a uniqueuser operates each electronic device 202 via an interface 115 asdescribed with reference to FIG. 1.

The server device 130 includes a processor 211 coupled to acomputer-readable medium 212. In one embodiment, the server device 130is coupled to one or more additional external or internal devices, suchas, without limitation, a secondary data storage element, such asdatabase 240.

In one instance, processors 208 and 211 are manufactured by IntelCorporation, of Santa Clara, Calif. In other instances, othermicroprocessors are used.

In one embodiment, the plurality of client devices 202 and the server210 include instructions for a customized application for selectingprivileges for use during a data collaboration session. In oneembodiment, the plurality of computer-readable media 209 and 212contain, in part, the customized application. Additionally, theplurality of client devices 202 and the server 210 are configured toreceive and transmit electronic messages for use with the customizedapplication. Similarly, the network 210 is configured to transmitelectronic messages for use with the customized application.

One or more user applications are stored in media 209, in media 212, ora single user application is stored in part in one media 209 and in partin media 212. In one instance, a stored user application, regardless ofstorage location, is made customizable based on selecting privileges foruse during a data collaboration session as determined using embodimentsdescribed below.

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a system 300. In one embodiment,the system 300 is embodied within the server 130. In another embodiment,the system 300 is embodied within the electronic device 110. In yetanother embodiment, the system 300 is embodied within both theelectronic device 110 and the server 130.

In one embodiment, the system 300 includes a profile manager module 310,a device detection module 320, a storage module 330, an interface module340, a control module 350, and a privileges module 360.

In one embodiment, the control module 350 communicates with the profilemanager module 310, the device detection module 320, the storage module330, the interface module 340, the control module 350, and theprivileges module 360. In one embodiment, the control module 350coordinates tasks, requests, and communications between the profilemanager module 310, the device detection module 320, the storage module330, the interface module 340, the control module 350, and theprivileges module 360.

In one embodiment, the profile manager module 310 organizes and tracksthe profiles. In one embodiment, each profile corresponds to a device.In another embodiment, each profile corresponds to a group of devices.

In another embodiment, each profile corresponds to devices associatedwith a company.

In one embodiment, the device detection module 320 detects andidentifies the identity of the device. In one embodiment, the devicedetection module 320 detects the identity of device through the InternetProtocol address associated with the device.

In one embodiment, the storage module 330 stores a record including aprofile associated with the each device or group of devices. Anexemplary profile is shown in a record 400 within FIG. 4.

In one embodiment, the interface module 340 detects the presence of adevice through the network 120.

In one embodiment, the privileges module 360 is configured to organizethe different configurations of collaboration privileges that areassociated with a group of devices. In one embodiment, the group ofdevices is defined by a common association of these devices such as acompany. Examples of specific privileges are shown in an exemplaryrecord 400 and the following examples.

The system 300 in FIG. 3 is shown for exemplary purposes and is merelyone embodiment of the methods and apparatuses for selecting privilegesfor use during a data collaboration session. Additional modules may beadded to the system 300 without departing from the scope of the methodsand apparatuses for selecting privileges for use during a datacollaboration session. Similarly, modules may be combined or deletedwithout departing from the scope of the methods and apparatuses forselecting privileges for use during a data collaboration session.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary record 400 for use with the methods andapparatuses for selecting privileges for use during a data collaborationsession. In one embodiment, the record 400 illustrates an exemplaryrecord associated with managing the different rules and privileges oftransmitting data among multiple devices.

In one embodiment, there are multiple records such that each record 400is associated with a particular group of devices. Further, each devicemay correspond with multiple records wherein each record 400 isassociated with a particular profile associated with the device.

In one embodiment, the record 400 includes a group name field 410, aspecific user field 420, an IP address range field 430, a related groupfield 440, and a privileges field 450. In one embodiment, the record 400resides within the client 110. In another embodiment, the record 400resides within the server 130.

In one embodiment, the group name field 410 includes information relatedto the identity of the group. For example, the group name field 410 mayinclude a company name that includes the group of devices.

In one embodiment, the specific user field 420 includes a listing ofdevices that are associated with the specific group name from the groupname field 410. For example, the listing of devices are associated withthe particular group.

In one embodiment, the specific user field 420 includes informationrelated to the identity of the device as the serial number associatedwith the device and/or the login identification for the user of theparticular device. For example, each device has a unique serial numberidentifying this particular device. Further, the login identificationfor an approved user also identifies that the user of the device isauthorized to be included within the group identified by the group namefield 410.

In one embodiment, the IP address range field 430 identifies the rangeof IP addresses that are recognized to be utilized by devices within thegroup as identified by the group name field 410. In one embodiment,specific IP address ranges are utilized by a company. Further, bylogging onto a corporate intranet, an authorized device may also utilizean IP address within the prescribed range even though a user of thedevice may utilize DSL or a remote telephone line to access theInternet.

In one embodiment, the related group field 440 allows devices associatedwith a different group than the group identified within the group namefield 410 to be recognized. In one embodiment, the devices associatedwith the group identified within the related group field 440 are alsoidentified by information contained within the group name field 410, thespecific user field 420, and the IP address range field 430.

In one embodiment, the privileges field 450 identifies differentprivileges for a data collaboration session between multiple devices.For example, the privileges may restrict the ability of certain devicesto record, copy, view, and/or access data shared during the datacollaboration session.

The flow diagrams as depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6 are one embodiment of themethods and apparatuses for selecting privileges for use during a datacollaboration session. The blocks within the flow diagrams can beperformed in a different sequence without departing from the spirit ofthe methods and apparatuses for selecting privileges for use during adata collaboration session. Further, blocks can be deleted, added, orcombined without departing from the spirit of the methods andapparatuses for selecting privileges for use during a data collaborationsession.

The flow diagram in FIG. 5 illustrates customizing an exemplary recordfor transmission of data during a data collaboration session accordingto one embodiment of the invention.

In Block 510, a group name is selected. In one embodiment, the groupname is associated with a specific company.

In Block 520, devices and users that are associated with the specificcompany are identified. In one embodiment, the device serial number maybe utilized to identify specific devices. In another embodiment, the IPaddress ranges and/or login identifications may be utilized to identifyspecific users. In one embodiment, any number of users and/or devicesmay be associated with the specific company.

In Block 530, other groups are identified. In one embodiment, othercompanies and their associated users are identified.

In Block 540, specific privileges are selected between various usersand/or devices. In one instance, exemplary privileges include limitingthe data shared during the data collaboration session, limiting thetransmission of documents from one device to another, limiting therecording of the data collaboration session, and the like.

Further, the specific privileges can be configured differently dependingon the company associated with each device or user. For example,users/devices from company A may have liberal privileges during a datacollaboration session among themselves. However, the users/devices fromcompany A may have restricted privileges when collaborating with usersfrom company B or an unknown company.

In Block 550, the profile for the specific company including theassociated users/devices, associated companies, and specific privilegesare stored with a storage module 330.

The flow diagram in FIG. 6 illustrates limiting transmission of dataduring a data collaboration session according to one embodiment of theinvention.

In Block 610, a device is detected. In one embodiment, the device isidentified through a login identification that uniquely identifies thatdevice. In another embodiment, the login identification uniquelyidentifies the particular user.

In another embodiment, the device is identified through the IP addressthat is utilized by the device.

In Block 620, the devices detected within the Block 610 are categorizedinto groups. Some exemplary groups include Company A, Company B, andundetermined. For example, if the device's IP address range or loginidentification is recognized as being included within the attributes ofCompany A, then this particular device is categorized as associated withCompany A. Similarly, if the device's IP address range or loginidentification is not recognized as being included within the attributesof a group, then the device would be categorized and undetermined.

In Block 630, privileges and limitations are identified. In oneembodiment, exemplary privileges and limitations include transmission ofdata, recording the data collaboration session, and receipt of data.

In Block 640, the privileges and limitations are selectively applied toeach device based on the categorization of the devices and theapplication rules of each privilege and limitation.

In an exemplary scenario A, a data collaboration session is hosted byparticipant A and attended by participant B. In this scenario, bothparticipants A and B are identified as belonging to company A. In oneembodiment, the participants A and B are associated with company Athrough the device utilized by each of the participants A and B. Thedevices may be associated with company A through an IP address range, aserial number, and the like. In another embodiment, the participants maybe identified through a login identification that associates eachparticipant with company A. In one embodiment, when participants A and Bare both associated with company A, the restrictions of sharing data andrecording the data collaboration session may be minimized to allowmaximum access and recording.

In another scenario B, a data collaboration session is hosted byparticipant A and attended by participants B and C. In this scenario,both participants A and B are identified as belonging to company A; andparticipant C is identified as belonging to company B. In oneembodiment, the participants are associated with a specific companythrough the device utilized by each of the participants. The devices maybe associated with the specific company through an IP address range, aserial number, and the like. In another embodiment, the participants maybe identified through a login identification that associates eachparticipant with a specific company. In one embodiment, whenparticipants A and B are both associated with company A, therestrictions of sharing data and recording the data collaborationsession between participants A and B may be minimized to allow maximumaccess and recording. However, restrictions may be placed on dataflowing between participants A and B and participant C. For example,data flowing from participants A and B to participant C may berestricted. Further, participant C may be prevented from recording thedata collaboration session.

In one embodiment, participant C is subject to the limitations andrestrictions imposed by company A. Further, the limitations andrestrictions imposed by company A are represented by an exemplary record400 in one embodiment.

In another embodiment within the scenario B, data flowing fromparticipant C to participants A and B may be restricted. Further,participants A and B may be prevented from recording the datacollaboration session. Participants A and B are subject to thelimitations and restrictions imposed by company B. Further, thelimitations and restrictions imposed by company B are represented by anexemplary record 400 in one embodiment.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention havebeen presented for purposes of illustration and description. Theinvention may be applied to a variety of other applications.

They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise embodiments disclosed, and naturally many modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodimentswere chosen and described in order to explain the principles of theinvention and its practical application, to thereby enable othersskilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodimentswith various modifications as are suited to the particular usecontemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be definedby the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

1. A method comprising: detecting a plurality of electronic devicesparticipating in a data collaboration session in which data is sharedfrom an electronic device that operates as a host to other electronicdevices; determining a group, of a plurality of groups, to which each ofthe plurality of electronic devices is associated, at least some of thegroups corresponding to companies, such that a first electronic devicethat operates as the host and a second electronic device are associatedwith a group that corresponds to a first company, and a third electronicdevice is associated with a group that corresponds to a second company;based on the determined group to which each of the plurality ofelectronic devices is associated, identifying one or more limitationsthat restrict the recording of data shared during the data collaborationsession; enforcing the identified one or more limitations to restrictthe recording of data shared during the data collaboration session ononly some of the plurality of electronic devices participating in thedata collaboration session, such that the first electronic device andthe second electronic device associated with the group that correspondsto the first company are allowed to record the data collaborationsession, yet the third electronic device associated with the group thatcorresponds to the second company is prevented from recording the datacollaboration session.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the data sharedduring the data collaboration session includes at least audio data andgraphical data.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining agroup to which each of the plurality of electronic devices is associatedcomprises: accessing records that each identify a group name and aspecific list of electronic devices that are associated with the groupname; and determining in which record the electronic device is listed.4. The method of claim 3, wherein the list of electronic devices is alist of unique serial numbers of the electronic devices.
 5. The methodof claim 3, wherein the list of electronic devices is a list of loginidentifications of users of the electronic devices.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the determining a group to which each of the pluralityof electronic devices is associated comprises: accessing records thateach identity a group name and a range of addresses that are recognizedto be utilized by electronic devices associated with the group name; anddetermining in which range of addresses the electronic device falls. 7.The method of claim 6, wherein the range of addresses is a range ofInternet Protocol (IP) addresses.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein theidentifying one or more limitations that restrict the recording of datashared during the data collaboration session comprise accessing one ormore records associated with the plurality of electronic devicesparticipating in the data collaboration session, the one or more recordsincluding a privileges field that identifies the one or morelimitations.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting,determining, identifying and enforcing are performed by a server coupledto the plurality of electronic devices that facilitates the datacollaboration session.
 10. A method comprising: detecting a plurality ofelectronic devices participating in a data collaboration session inwhich data is shared from an electronic device that operates as a hostto other electronic devices; determining a group, of a plurality ofgroups, to which each of the plurality of electronic devices isassociated, at least some of the groups corresponding to companies, suchthat a first electronic device that operates as the host and a secondelectronic device are associated with a group that corresponds to afirst company, and a third electronic device is associated with a groupthat corresponds to a second company; based on the determined group towhich each of the plurality of electronic devices is associated,identifying one or more limitations that restrict the flow of data amongthe electronic devices during the data collaboration session; enforcingthe identified one or more limitations to restrict the flow of dataduring the data collaboration session to one or more particularelectronic devices participating in the data collaboration session, suchthat data may flow freely from the first electronic device to the secondelectronic device associated with the group that corresponds to thefirst company, yet the flow of data is restricted to the thirdelectronic device associated with the group that corresponds to thesecond company during the data collaboration session.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the data shared during the data collaboration sessionincludes at least audio data and graphical data.
 12. The method of claim10, wherein the determining a group to which each of the plurality ofelectronic devices is associated comprises: accessing records that eachidentify a group name and a specific list of electronic devices that areassociated with the group name; and determining in which record theelectronic device is listed.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein thelist of electronic devices is a list of unique serial numbers of theelectronic devices.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the determininga group to which each of the plurality of electronic devices isassociated comprises: accessing records that each identity a group nameand a range of addresses that are recognized to be utilized byelectronic devices associated with the group name; and determining inwhich range of addresses the electronic device falls.
 15. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the range of addresses is a range of Internet Protocol(IP) addresses.
 16. An apparatus comprising: a processor; and a memorystoring program instructions that, when executed on the processor, areoperable to detect a plurality of electronic devices that areparticipants in a data collaboration session in which data is sharedfrom an electronic device that operates as a host to other electronicdevices, determine a group, of a plurality of groups, to which each ofthe plurality of electronic devices is associated, such that a firstelectronic device that operates as the host and a second electronicdevice are associated with a first group, and a third electronic deviceis associated based on the determined group to which each of theplurality of electronic devices is associated, identify one or morelimitations that restrict the recording of data shared during the datacollaboration session, and enforce the identified one or morelimitations to restrict the recording of data shared during the datacollaboration session on only some of the plurality of electronicdevices that are participants in the data collaboration session, suchthat the first electronic device and the second electronic deviceassociated with the first group are allowed to record the datacollaboration session, yet the third electronic device associated withthe second group is prevented from recording the data collaborationsession.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the data shared duringthe data collaboration session includes at least audio data andgraphical data.
 18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first groupcorresponds to a first company and the second group corresponds to asecond company.
 19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the programinstructions that, when executed on the processor, are operable todetermine a group to which each of the plurality of electronic devicesis associated comprise program instructions that, when executed on theprocessor, are operable to access records that each identify a groupname and a specific list of electronic devices that are associated withthe group name, and determine in which record the electronic device islisted.
 20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the program instructionsthat, when executed on the processor, are operable to determine a groupto which each of the plurality of electronic devices is associatedcomprise program instructions that, when executed on the processor, areoperable to access records that each identity a group name and a rangeof addresses that are recognized to be utilized by electronic devicesassociated with the group name, and determine in which range ofaddresses of the electronic device falls.